La Survivance, Maitre Chez Nous & Vive le Quebec Libre
Introduction to French/English Relations
Slide 2
Background Canada was born in 1867 as a partnership between two
major ethnic groups French & English However, since the
beginning their have been major problems between these two groups
For example: The Manitoba Schools Act & the Conscription Crisis
The root of these conflicts is Quebecs concern about its ability to
maintain its distinction as a French Speaking, Catholic
province
Slide 3
Maurice Duplessis Premier of Quebec from 1936- 1939 &
1944-1959 Leader of the Union Nationale Party La Survivance
Survival - promoted traditional values and institutions in Quebec
Under Duplessis, Quebec became backwards Education was controlled
by the Catholic Church, highest dropout rate in Canada, high
poverty rates English businessmen dominated Quebecs economy while
most French held low paying jobs or were farm labourers
Slide 4
Jean Lesage Lesage was the Premier of Quebec through most of
the 60s Introduced Maitre Chez Nous masters in our own house
Unhappy with Quebecs position in Canada wanted a new deal Quebec
should be able to control its own future within Canada Began a
massive modernization program Determined to put Quebecs economy in
the hands of French Canadians One the most important members of his
government was the young Rene Levesque
Slide 5
The Quiet Revolution Lesage accidentally started the Quiet
Revolution in Quebec A period of social reform throughout Quebec
Quebecois turned away from the Catholic Church and began to express
themselves like never before New Art, Music and Literature
dominated French culture Quebecois became interested in politics
and demanded equal rights with the rest of Canada
Slide 6
The Effects of the Quiet Rev. Although most Quebecois wanted a
new deal with Canada, they disagreed on how to get it 1.
Federalists: wanted Quebec to participate more in Canadian politics
and try to influence Canada from inside the government. e.g. Pierre
Trudeau 2. Nationalists (separatists): wanted Quebec to have fewer
ties with Canada. Some even wanted outright separation. 3.
Militants (Terrorists): remove Quebec from Canada through violence
and revolution
Slide 7
Expo 67 In 1967, Canada turned 100 and created a huge
exhibition in Montreal 62 Nations participated and it had over 50
million visitors Many leaders and VIPs from around the world came
to Montreal One such man was Charles De Gaulle, the president of
France De Gaulle was given a heroes welcome by French Canadians
Before going to the Expo, De Gaulle made a public speech from
Montreals city hall. In the speech he said Vive Le Quebec Libre
Long Live Free Quebec
Slide 8
The Impact of Vive le Quebec Libre De Gaulles speech hit Canada
like a bomb P.M. Lester Pearson responded by saying "Canadians do
not need to be liberated, Canada will remain united and will reject
any effort to destroy her unity Within Quebec, the separatist
movement gained massive popularity Rene Levesque quits on Lesage
and the Liberal Party stating that he could no longer support a
government that denies Quebec its right to self-government
Slide 9
The Foundation of the Parti Quebecois In 1968, many separatist
groups came together to form the Parti Quebecois Rene Levesque was
elected as the first leader of the PQ By 1970, the PQ had won 23%
of the vote in Quebec The separatist cause was gaining
strength
Slide 10
Key Points Maurice Duplessis La Survivance (Survival) kept
Quebec traditional Quebec fell behind the rest of Canada Jean
Lesage Maitre Chez Nous (masters in our own house) modernize
Quebec, equality with Canada Quiet Revolution Quebec becomes less
Catholic, less traditional, more modern and politically active Vive
le Quebec Libre Long live free Quebec said at Expo 67 by DeGaulle
Rene Levesque starts the Parti Quebecois dedicated to
seperatism